Infantino Hints at 64-Team World Cup for 2030
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has suggested the governing body is considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to a 64-team format, just days into the rest period at the current 48-team tournament in the United States. According to The Guardian’s Football Daily, Infantino told Swiss media that Fifa would be “examining and discussing” the possibility, though no formal proposal has been announced.
Speaking about the rationale, Infantino argued that a World Cup should be organised “for the whole world — not just Europe and South America.” He suggested that excluding smaller nations removes their incentive to develop the game domestically — though critics were quick to note that qualification already offers every nation a route to the tournament.
What a 64-Team Format Would Look Like
If the expansion goes ahead, the most straightforward structure would see 16 groups of four teams, with the top two from each advancing to a knockout phase — essentially the same format used at Qatar 2022 and earlier tournaments. That would add 24 additional matches to the schedule compared to the current 48-team setup.
The 2030 edition is already an unusually sprawling affair, planned across 23 venues in six countries spanning three continents. Infantino suggested that scale makes the logistical case for adding more games easier to make.
This tournament has already offered some memorable moments from less fancied nations — Cape Verde were described as a revelation, while Uzbekistan, Jordan and even Curaçao, who equalised against Germany, showed what wider participation can produce. Sixteen more sides in 2030 could open the door to similarly surprising stories.
Eyes on 2034 Too?
The Guardian also noted that Infantino’s comments could be read as laying the groundwork for something far more ambitious. His talk of representing “the whole world” prompted speculation about whether a future tournament — potentially 2034 in Saudi Arabia — could eventually include all 211 Fifa member associations. That would represent an extraordinary logistical undertaking for any host nation.
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For now, Infantino’s comments remain a hint rather than a policy, but given Fifa’s consistent track record of expanding its competitions, few would bet against the idea gaining traction in the months ahead.